Method and means for control of independently variable characteristics



Oct. 7,, 1952 F. P. STROTHER 2,612,743

METHOD AND MEANS FOR CONTROL OF INDEPENDENTLY VARIABLE CHARACTERISTICS Filed Jan. 22, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR FRED P STROTHER Oct. 7, 1952 F. P. STROTHER METHOD AND MEANS FOR CONTROL OF INDEPENDEN'ILY VARIABLE CHARACTERISTICS Filed Jan. 22, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR FREDP STROTHER METHOD AND MEANS FOR CONTROL OF INDEPENDENTLY Oct. 7, 1952 F P. STROTHER 2,612,743

VARIABLE CHARACTERISTICS FNvENToR FRED F? STR OTHER Oct. 7, 1952 F. P. STROTHER 2,61 ,743 METHOD AND MEANS FOR CONTROL OF INDEPENDENTLY Filed Jan. 22, 1948 VARIABLE CHARACTERISTICS 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 FRED P. STROTHER B TORNEY Oct. 7, 1952 F. P. STROTHER 2,612,743

METHOD AND MEANS FOR CONTROL. OF INDEPENDENTLY VARIABLE CHARACTERISTICS Filed Jan. 22, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR FRED P. STROTHEICR ORNE Oct. 7, 1952 F. P. STROTHER METHOD AND MEANS FOR CONTROL OF INDEPENDENTLY VARIABLE CHARACTERISTICS 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Jan. 22. 1948 INVENTOR wn w FRED P. STROTHER Patented Oct. 7, 1952 UNITED STATES METHOD AND MEANS iron. CONTROL on INDEPENDENTLY VARIABLE HARAQTER- STI AIENT .QFFICE Fred P. Strother, OldG-rcenwich, Conn assignor to Deering Millikan Research. Trust, New York, N. Y a nonprofit trust of Neyv- Yprlc Application r yjzz, 1948, Serial at. 3.7%; SQCIaims. (or. averse novel-characteristics of 'afabricated article or novel sequence of events. Specifically the invention comprisesa methodandmeans for converting randomly occurring pulses into useful control signals of random occurrence andof random durationor-magnitude, or of both random duration and-randommagnitude- The control system of thQ'lIlVEIltlOIl; is particularly adapted for use in the production of y-arnhaving slubs of random dimensions at'random intervals therein, as sig nals'produced in accordance with the invention may be used tocon-trol, not only the spacing between the slubs but also the lengths and diam eters of the slubs, the;contrl system of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds,

In general the control signals produced in accordance with the invention maybe used for random control oi two or more independently.

variable characteristics oi one, or of several, ele-I ments. Ffor example, the signals may control the rates of travel ofelements, the times during which Fig. 1 is. a. diagram illustrating a s pecificeme. bodirnent of'the invention wherein control sig-.,

nals of-random duration and produced at random intervals control slubinjecting mechanism;

Fig. 2is a diagram illustrating a modification of the invention wherein means are provided for adjusting the minimum interval between the random control signals;

Fig. 3 is a circuit diagram illustrating an alternative arrangement for obtaining control sig.-,

nals of random occurrence and of random duration with the average rate o f occurrence. and the average duration each being separately adjustable;

Fig; 4 illustrates a control system wherein con- Other useful applications oi;

trols signals of random occurrence and of random Fig. 5=illustrates-the system ,o f Eig 4 asapplifid,

2 to thecontrol of targets irr-a shooting gallery;

Fig. Saris a section-on-the line-alia-of Fig=- 5; and

Fig- 6 illustrates the control system of Flgr 4; applied for-testing-speed-of resporiseand coordi nation-of'individuals.

In Fig. 1 pulses delivered-by a counter tube as a result of random penetration by cosmic or; other radiation are amplified and converted into con trol signals of random duration. The draf-t;o f-a yarnspinning anddraftin'g mechanism is decreased-through appropriate apparatus control ling-the rate of rotation of the feed rollsfor'the duration of eachcontrolsignal. Yarn produced; by v the spinning mechanism thus has random length slubs at random intervals therein; the in; tervals between slubs corresponding to theinter;

vals of time between consecutive con trol signals 3 and the lengthsof the slubscorresponding to the periods ofduration of the control signals.

The n t be; di a d-n1 mayhea e: ventional Geiger-Muller couner tube comprising a grounded and'air tight cylindrical membertcon; wining s n r th inert e l fllow.Premium, and-a wire electrode 6' extending along the axis of the cylinder t and suitably insul ated there. I

from, A- lead' shieldt of suitable thickness. providedabout the counter 2. The electrode fi of-the counter is connected to a source o fhigh voltage througha highresistance "land are;- i r a d heiumt pa of resisi rs- I "an is connected tc the, control; grid of a pentode MM through a capacity v l 5-: a Apulse lengthening conden s nnected, be ween ound and. t e lead Zll connectirrg resistor I 2 and capacity. "5,. The anode of pe todel 4 ,is ..con nected to a source, of pof i l erc nti ndlcate es 3+ hr u h. a resistor 22; and to onecontrol grid 2 3,v offa double triode 2A thr-ougha condenser 215. The screen grid of'pentode It is maintained at a, suitable positive potential, as by connection, to the junction of'resistors 2 8 and 30 seriallycon l nected across the source of potential. Biasing resistors 32" and"?! areprovided for the control grid and cathode, respectively, or the pentode; The a e f be. 4.; on wlledh 'rid i. is connectedto 13:1: through the windingv of, a l relay 3&- and to groundthrough a condenser 31. The cathodes of tube ld are tied together. and, given a positivebias by connectionto the luna tion oi resistors lll and it connectedingseries. across the source ofpotential, A resistor 32.: is; nne dhe enihe c trol a d fian u dl.

h ir u t o far, desc d n vid s a means bt ining nerg ze iea ela 6 atr aadqm;

intervals corresponding to random discharge of counter tube 2 as a result of penetration by cosmic or other radiation, as hereinafter described. In accordance with the invention, the energization of relay 36 at random intervals is utilized to initiate control signals at random intervals and of random duration. For this purpose, relay 36 controls, through its armature 43 and a front contact 4 5, an intermediate circuit including a holding relay 45 and a source of direct current 45. A switch arm 47, biased to closed position by a spring 48 and interposed in the intermediate circuit between the source 46 andthe winding of relay 45 is intermittently opened by a cam 50; cam 59 being rotated at a constant, relatively slow, rate by any suitable means, indicated as a motor and being shaped to open the switch 41 once during each revolution. A circuit including leads 52 and 54 and front contact 56 of relay 45 bridges the armature 43 and front contact 44 so as to maintain relay 45 energized after deenergization of relay 3B and until the circuit is opened at switch 4'! by the rotating cam 50. Thus the duration of energization of relay 45 will depend upon the angular position of the cam 50 at the moment of energization of relay 36; the average period of duration depending upon the dimensions of the cam and upon the rate of rotation thereof.

In the particular embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig. 1, relay 45, when energized, closes the circuit of a magnetic clutch 58 over a front contact 60; the cooperating armature Bl of the relay bein connected to the positive terminal of a suitable source of energy indicated by 35+, and the winding of the magnetic clutch being connected between front contact 60 and the negative terminal of the source, indicated by E-. A back contact 52 associated with armature 6| is connected to ground through a bleed resistor 53 and, through a condenser 64, with the other control grid 65 of double triode 24, grid 65 being connected to ground through a resistor 56. The associated anode 61 of the tube 24 is tied directly to B+.

Magnetic clutch 58, when energized, couples a shaft 68 to a drive shaft 69, and such coupling results in a reduction of the draft of a yarn spinning mechanism.

The yarn spinning mechanism is diagrammatically illustrated as comprising a pair of feed rolls 10, a pair of draft rolls H, and a conventional ring spinner 12. The rolls l0 draw roving 13 from one or a plurality of supply bobbins 1'4 and feed it into the ratch defined by the two pairs ofroll-s, where it is drafted by the rapid rotation of the draft rolls 1 I. The drafted fibers, upon emission from the draft rolls are spun into yarn by the ring spinner 12. As is well known, the diameter of yarn spun from any roving on a given spinning mechanism may be varied by varying the draft of the mechanism, that is, by varying the ratio of the peripheral speed of the draft rolls to that of the feed rolls; decrease in draft resulting in increase in yarn diameter. Thus, by temporary increase in feed roll speed in response to energization of magnetic clutch 58, slubs are injected into the yarn. .In Fig. 1 such increase in feed roll speed is obtained through the use of a pair of overriding clutches, indicated diagrammatically as comprising ratchet wheels 16 and 18 on the shaft 80 of the driven feed roll and their respective driving pawls 82 and 84. Pawl 82 is mounted on an arm 85 integral with a sprocket 88 rotatably mounted on the shaft 80 and chain driven from the main drive shaft 90 of the spinning mechanism. Pawl B4 is carried by an arm 92 secured to a shaft 94 for rotation therewith; shaft 94 being coupled, through suitable multiplication gearing, indicated diagrammatically at 96, with shaft 58. The draft rolls H are driven from drive shaft 90 through multiplication gearing indicated diagrammatically at 98.

In the operation of the system of Fig. 1, when cosmic or other radiation penetrates the counter tube 2 and ionizes the gas therein a transient discharge occurs between electrode 6 and the grounded cylinder 4. The grid of pentode I4 is swung sufficiently negative by the transient current to cause deenergization of the pentode. Deenergization of the pentode l4 causes a sudden rise in potential of the grid 23 of tube 24 with consequent energization of that half of the tube and of relay 36. Energization oi -relay 36, providing switch 41 is closed, closes the circuit of relay 45 causing that relay to pick up its armatures to close its holding circuit over front contact 56 and to close the circuit of the magnetic clutch 58 over front contact 60. Relay 45 and magnetic clutch 58 will remain energized after deenergization of relay 3%; until the circuit/of relay 45 is opened at switch 41 by cam 50. During such period of energization of the magnetic clutch 58, ratchet wheel 18 will be driven through its pawl 84 and its rate of rotation will be greater than that of sprocket 88. Consequently, the teeth of ratchet wheel 16 will slide under the pawl 82 and the rate of rotation of shaft will be increased. The resultingincreased rate of rotation of the feed rolls and consequent reduction in draft will cause a slub to be injected into the v yarn, the length of which will depend upon the duration of the control signal, that is, upon the period of energization of the magnetic clutch 58, and the diameter of which .will depend upon the rate of rotation of the shaft 69. As the clutch is energized at random intervals in response to pulses originating in the counter 2, and for random periods of duration, as a result of the rotation of cam 59, the slubs injected into the yarn by the above described control system of Fig. 1 will occur at random intervals and will be of random length. The circuit provides suiiicient time for release of the magnetic clutch between suc cessive periods of energization of relay 45 as when relay 45 releases and armature 5i engages back contact 62, a positive pulse from the source E+ is impressed on the control grid 65 causing a transient current through that half of the double triode, and thereby raisin the cathode potential and thus preventing energization of the other half of the tube for a time suiiicient for release of the magnetic clutch. g

The optimum dimensions of the counter tube 2 and 0f the lead sheath 8 will depend upon the radiation to which it is to be exposed and upon the desired average frequency of discharge of the counter, which in turn depends largely upon the mechanism to be controlled; In the case of slub injection, the desired average frequency will depend upon the rate of yarn production of the spinning mechanism. As the rate of emission per unit weight and the penetrating powers of the radiations of radioactive materials are known, as is also the average frequency of incidence of cosmic rays, suitable dimensions of the counter for any desired average number of pulses may be readily calculated. Preferably the counter tube 2 of Fig. 1 is dimensioned for actuation by cosmic rays as; when advantage is taken of cosmic rays,

circuit isenergized inresponse tic-coincident dis s justable means are provided: for preventing: re-m energization of; relay -38=-for a-predetermined in terval'-'after-- deenergizatiom of=the-.ho1ding-relay 45. InFig. 2; as-the circuits of b'otlr counter tube 21a and counter--tube'- 2b are like that of tube 2 of Fig: 1; the elements thereof are iden tified by" the same--- referencenumbers as 1 those used to identify'like elements in Fig: 1; the subscripts-w and b being-aolded =to the-reference numbers for-the elementsrof the'respectivecircuits of 'tubes-Zu and-2b; The-plate-ofpentode -I 411- in the circuit of 'counterZwa-nd the-platoon pentode I Eli-in the circuit'of counter -2 'b aretied -together byaconductonlflt; and areconneoted toone'controligrid- IIiE ofa double-;triode- IE I through the condenser-2t s'o-that-a positive pulseis transmitare;ooincidentlyblocked as; a result-of coincident dischargesof counter-tubes -2aand 2b Relay 36- isconnected inthe circuit of anode I65 of tube Ifl'dcontrollediby grid IIJZ; The-cathodesoiitube H14 are connectedjtogethenand to-ground through a condenser; I08 and to1ground= throughian adjjusta-ble: portion of" resistor M resistor; 4*I being connected; in series with resistor--40 across the"v source of potential? as in the; circuit; of Fig: l";

The other controligrid; II 0, of; the. double triode.

I M is connectedto ground through a resistor I12 and; through a back-contact; I I'Aiand'; armature I I 6'- ofthe holding-relay with ,a manually ade justable contact arm H87 One plate of eachofj a plurality of; condensers of; difihrentcaDacitieg CI, C2, C3; and C4: is groundedand the other plate of'each condenser is ,connected with a (1 1117 ferent contact. engageable by the arm, H8. A front contact l2llj associatedfwitharmature H6" is connected to 3+.

With the, above described arrangement; assumin rm Ht positioned: as hownin .Fi ,.1 urin energization of,.relay ifiQthatjis,v for theduration v hfi y. a y. p ls from the. oin identi ir iu i during the p riod ofjdischar e. f.- ondenser 0. j

By adjustment of; arm I I8; any one of; 01.11 diff fer nt; minimum. interval betw en: co trol 15?; nals, each. corresponding to thecapacity of a crentioneeottthercon ensersfls r 0.2;: cannot Chm y besselectedi. A-greatermnadewemnurn l 1 oer,-of.rcondensers;should; or course, bebprovidedi l as desired. I r

When the icircuit. of Fig; 2; is vused for control of I slubli'njection mechanism of thetypeof Fig: 1;

the. .circuit .of. magnetic clutch 58 could be. con-.-w

trolled, as in .Fig; .1 over top contacts of .relay 4.5; Inthe particulan arrangement of'Fig. 2 ,the:cir=-.. cuit of ;'the magnetic. clutch 58., is controlled over.-

front-..c.ontacts.ofx a. relay 45!; thewinding-of-r which ,is connected in parallelwith the winding: ofjrelay. 45', soassto be energized;concurrently-- therewith; It .will be understoodl thatzthe.mag-u I netic-clutch 58.; whenenergized, couples shaft 68: to the.:.drive shaft tfi forinsertion of atslubintd yarn, as: heretofore described with reference-to Fig; 1';- the length of each slub dependingcupom the-duration of the control signal and the inter-- ;vals between slubsdepending upon theperiodsbetween thecessationof one control signal and" the inception of 1 the next. With the circuit a of Fig. 2, however, theaveragerate of "productionof control signals may be adjusted by moving: 5 the counter-tubes za 'and zb toward or away from each other to increase or decrease, respectively;

the probability of coincident discharges-as will" be understood bythose skilled inthe art. Also; because of the provision of the-condensersC I, (32;

and Cd, and-the-circuit associated therewith; adjustment may oe-made of the minimum -inter val betweencontrol-signals, and, therefore,- be

tween slubs, when slub injecting mechanism-is controlled by thesy-stem:

Another arrangement forobtaining control Sig nals of random duration'and of randomoceurrence,- and'one inWhich'thea-Verage rateof oc dent discharges-ofone of these two, specifically tube zd, and ofthe thirdcounter, 2e, terminate, the signal. T-hus, by moving counter tube 2c towardor-away from counter tube 2d theaverage rate of occurrence of control fsignals may be increased and decreased respectively and'similarly.

by moving counter 26 toward and; away from]. counter M1 the average duration. of the control pulses nay, be decreased. and increased; ru pefir. tively.

s showninF e', h uu nded e1ectr0 ieof, the counter tube 20 is connectedflto. the high voltage line I22; through a. pair of resistors I 2;c and Illa, andthrough resistor lzcandcondenser I60 to the control grid of the pentode Hic Sinai;

larly the ungrounded' electrode of counter tube Zdjis connected, to the high voltage line l2}!- through resistors. EZdand Iild andto the control grid" of pentode Md through resistor 12d" andcondenser. Ifidfand' the unground'ed electrodepij. erv isuconn t dto. IineQI Z. th ou h esistors I26 and Hie andt fthe controlgrid'ofj nento e 1.41: throu hr is or lz a n ondenser.

+J hr ugh: a resisto 1 to the, anode; of pent e- Moi t r u h\ refil -i I 36' and is connected to B-{- through a resistor I38.*The screen grids of the pentodes are operated at positive potential, as shown, and suitable biasing resistors are provided for the cathodes and control grids.

Biasing resistors I40 and I42 are provided for the control grids of the triodes I24 and I32, respectively. The cathodes of the triodes are connected to 13+ through resistors I44 and I46, respectively, and to ground through resistors I48 and I60," respectively. The plate of triode I24 is connected to 3+ through the winding of a control signal start relay I52 and the plate of triode I32 is connected to 13+ through the winding of a control signal stop relay I54. Relay I52, over a front contact I56, and relay I54, over a back contact I58, control an intermediate circuit including a source of electromotive force indicated as a battery I66, and the winding of a hold ing relay I62. The holding circuit of relay I62 comprises a lead I64 connected between the positive terminal of source I60 and armature I65 of relay I62, front contact I66 associated therewith and a lead I61 connected between contact I66 and the winding of the relay. Relay [62 may, as shown, directly control another circuit over a front contact of a second armature I16, and that circuit may be used for actuation or control of an element at unpredictable intervals and for unpredictable periods. For example, relay I62 may control the circuit of the magnetic clutch of Fig. l for insertion of slubs into yarn, or it may be used as hereinafter described in connection with Figs. 4 to 6 in obtaining acontrol signal varying randomly in magnitude as well as in occurrence and in duration.

The operation of the system of Fig. 3 will be readily apparent from the foregoing description. When only one counter tube, for example counter 2c, is discharged as the result of penetration by cosmic rays, pentode I40 is blocked but pentode I4d remains energized. Resistor I 28 is so chosen that the positive pulse transmitted to the control grid of tube I24 under these conditions is insufiicicnt to energize that tube. Similarly if counter tube 2e alone isdischarged, blocking of pentode I ls while. pentode Md remains energized, will not energize tube 132. As pentodes Me and. I 4e are substantially isolatedfrom. each other by the series connectedresistors 23 and I36 coincident discharge of counters 2c and 26 will not energize either triode I24 or I22. When, however, counters 2c and. 2d are coincidently discharged, both pentodes I40 and Md are blocked and a positive pulse of sufiicient magnitude is impressed upon the control gridof triode I24 to insure energization of that tube and consequent energization of relay 52. Relay I62 then picks up its armature andcloses the energizing circuit of holding relay I62; relay I54 being deenergized so that the circuit of relay I62 is completed over back contact I58- When relay I62 is energized it picks up its holding circuit over front contact I66 and hence is ,not. deenergized by subsequent deenergization of relay I52. Relay I62 will remain energized untllcoincident discharges of counter tubesZd and 26 cause energization of triode I32 and consequent energization of stop relay I54. Thus with the circuit of Fig. 3, both the occurrence and the duration of the control signals depend upon the random reception of coincident pulses. As heretofore indicated, the relative position of the counter tubes may be adjusted to vary either imum period between control signals, obviously the condenser. arrangement described in connection with Fig. 2 could be added, if desired, to prevent energization of tube I24 for a predetermined period after deenergization of the holding relay circuits of Figs. 1 to 3 may be readily modified.

in accordance with the arrangement of Fig. 4 to which reference may now be had. In Fig. 4 wherein control of slub injection mechanism is illustrated, a relay I12 is energized at random 1 intervals and for periods of random duration. The energizing circuit of relay I12 is not shown as it may be either of those of relay 45 of Figs. 1 and 2 or that of relay I62 of Fig. 3., Two armatures, I14 and I16 are associated with relay I12.

Over armature I14 and front contact I18 relay I12 controls the circuit of a solenoid I; the solenoid being energized from any suitable source connected to terminals indicated at I82 whenever relay I12 is energized. Energization of the solenoid I 80 opens a gate valve I83 in a fluid supply line I84 against the action of a biasing spring I86; the valve being normally completely closed and moved to full open position when solenoid I80 is energized. Over armature I16 and back contact I88, relay I12 controls the circuit of a small alternating current motor I90; motor I90 receiving current during the periods of deenergization of relay I12 from any suit able source of alternating current connected to terminals I92. A cam disk I94, which is mounted eccentrically on the shaft I96 of motor I60, engages the upper end of the valve stem I98 of a variable orifice valve 200 in the line I84 to vary the position of the movable member of the valve continuously during periods of energization of the motor I90; a compression spring 262 serving to maintain the valve stem I98 in engagement with the cam disk I94. A front contact 204 associated with armature I16 is connected through a rectifier 206 with that one of the terminals I92 connected with the motor I90 and a condenser 208 is bridged across contacts I88 and 204. Thus when relay I12 lifts its armatures, the surge of current through the motor resulting from discharge of condenser 208 effectively stops the motor and the valve 200 is held stationary for the duration of the control signal.

The valves I83 and 200 are interposed in the line 64 between an accumulator type hydraulic pump 2 I0 and an hydraulic motor 2I2. The fluid return line is indicated at 2I3. An overriding clutch 2I4 couples a stub shaft 2I6 to the shaft 218 of motor 2I2. The drive shaft 80 of the feed rolls 10 of the yarn spinning and drafting mechanism is coupled to stub shaftv 2I6 through a chain 220 engagingv sprocket wheels 222 and 224 on shafts -2I6 and 80, respectively. Shaft .80.. except during periods of slub injection, is driven, as in Fig. 1, from the main drive shaft 90 of the spinning mechanism through the overriding clutch comprising sprocket 88, pawl 82 and ratchet wheel 16.

With the above described control system of Fig. 4, during the intervals between control signals, that is between periods of energization of relay. I12, the feed rolls are driven at a constant speed, valve I83 is in closed position and hence motor 2I2 is idle while motor I90 is energized 'feausing valve stem I98 to beireciprocated 'at a relatively slow 'rate. When relay I72 1 becomes -"energized, it pieks up 'its armatures; opening 1 the circuit of motor I90-at contact 88, braking I the "-motor"at--'contact 204*a'rid closing the circuit of :mte andrhencer'a slub is injected into -the yarn.

o'f a length dependent unon the-nuration of the signa1 and =f aw diameter nependent Lu'poin the speed of the h'ydraulio motor 2I2. iAsithereoisino -correlation between zthe' 'rate of reciprocation -;of the v-alve'vstem; t9B and the' oocurrenceiof la icon- 'trol signal and: as the" valveistem -.-:is:not1 reciprooate'd during a controlssi'gnal, itheispeed :ofi motor 2 2 I2, and hence, the odiameters ief ithe injected Sl-l'1bS,iWi11"i'ViTyi independently :of tthetocourre-nce wand .ilength :of 't the lfsl-irbs sin :a spurely irandom;

:imanner.

.InJEig; AthB'ICORtIOl system: UfQEig. 14. 115 uti- .-"Iized;ifor control of ".targetsnin a shootingi gallery.

L'Ilhe L oontrolzsystemxoausesi the targets: to :a-ppear sat random intervals iandvatsrandom locations, to

4- remain in viewtfor, periods .of random duration and to .travel eat-random rates. The targets :are. indicated-= at- 226.:andmayhave any .desired .oonfiguration. .For simplicity of illustration [the targets have 1 been shown as 'flat disks. Eaoh;

targethas a supportingirod-w228 which may .be 1

T. integral therewithIanm preferably disposedat. an ianglethereto. as shownIinIFig. 5a. T'The support .rods. are pivotally mounted in any suitablema-nner.on.a narrowlendless belt 230 soas'td be'freely oscillatable about an aizisi'parallel .to"the longi- "tudinal axi-s"of'the'ibelt. For example theen'ds of the rods .22 8"may*be"1ooped about stap1es 232 "longitudinally disposed along the "belt "and seeured'theretvwith theircentralstretchesspaced "therefrom wan w freepivotarmotionor the rods 2 28. The"endiess'belt* 2 *passes" around an idler "roller""234" an'da-driven'roller flfi. ltoller Z-SIi,'-as diagrammatically indie a-ted by the dashed line "-238,-'is driven by a variable 'speedeleetric motor of thearrow. i-rdjacent to idler roller 2-3'4 -is a pair "of 'fiXd guide rails 242 for reoeifation therebetweenorthe'rddse28 ouringtraveharound the ro1l' 234; the rails 242, '*attheir lowerniost ends being widely spaced to 'insure entrance of the *guide-rail 244; extending parallel with the upper 228i with the 'rail i244. iwhen'rthei'solenoid is fde- --'energized,'spring I86'moves the'iarm 252 into'i-the position shown in dotted. lines in Fig. a permittingthe targets to drop hforwardiby gravity -o'nto the retracted *rai1'244. :Th us, upon occur- -'renceof a control signal; such targets as arefon the upperstretch of-the belt are raised by lrail i2 44 into: position where they will be Visible over the top Jof' a suitable screen indicated in Figp5a :1at 2 54. To avoid confusion in. the drawing; screen 125 i has sbeen'only partly showniinzFig. 5. l It wi'll' beunderstood that the screen would be? wide :enough .to obscure the rollers and :guide rails mm the View io'f one shooting *at "the ':-targets travelling along the i upper stretch of the belt. Theztargets'will remain inview for the duration' of the "control signal; provided they fare: still Jon 1 the ZLupperJstI'eth off'the belt. "Their irate iof travel, while in view, wilidependi'uponlthez'speed or motor 2 :atthefmoment t oflinitiation of the acontrolcsignal. The control-iofxthe speed "of motor "240, which corresponds .to the .control'i'of the :mo'dulating 'va1ve200;of Fig;s4, is through motor I 90 which; when'energizedfover t back contact I 88 of irelay I'I2 toontinuously varies a resistance 256 in the -teircuit i'of "motor 240. "-As indicated diaigrammatically' in :the drawi'ng,:"resistance' 256-1is varied by means of 'a :rod "258 icarrying a movable =tcontact P260 iandizreciprocated through the link 262 and crank 64 driven iby motor I90; con-tact Wand one endiofrresistorfifi being con-- nested :in the' circuit of-motor; 24Il,:.for example in series "with the field'winding. Thus, the-controlsystem Of Fig; 5, like that or Fig; 4 provides three randomly varying characteristics, 'snecifically, occurrence, durationandsrate of travel. In Fig. '5- afourth substantially; random characteristic' is introduced, namely, position, that is, :the p'osition-of a target :along :the upperstretchof belt 23!] at the-moment itxis raised into view'as a: result of the "occurrence of a 'fcon'trol signal.

' This'charact'er'isticdepends, of course, on theidis- "reachof the'belt 230' is 'supported atits ends 'by arms 2 16 and"248 which"are'pivotally mounted 'onpins250 for" bsbillation abdut' anfaxis I par-a1- l'e1"' to the direction ""of 1 travel of the ten. Arm

"246"forms*one arm ofa bellcrank leverftheother.

arm of which is indicated by the refereneef m1- imeral' 252. The positionofarm 2 52"is"c'ontro11ed *lines in "the drawing. In this position 1 rail -"2-44 is substantially above the level' of Zithe upper stret'ch" of be1t 230 and henoe, anyitargetsfi 26 on the upper :stretch of lithe t-belt will :be held :ssub- :sstantiaily vertically by engagement 0f I the mods tribution of the: targets and becomes of. increasing importance as the :2 number -of"itargets is :decreased. 'It' will be :understood thattthe. ra'il244 is. positioned adjacent the'belt and-between itand j thefiring lineisothat when a'target' is hit it:is knocked away 1 from" the rail: and-:falls by gravity toward the other side of thelbelt.

Still another embodiment of the invention wherein controlsignals'ofrandomly varying characteristics are obtainediand'utilized is disclosed in -Fig. 6 wherein the system provides a test of quickness of response and ;-perception of .aninvclividual. I In the sytem of Fig.6 a; pen'motors2fi6 .is energized at random intervals for periods of random duration and with current of random magnitude. Th'eeircuit-of the pen motorv may be traced-as follows: .from' the .positive terminal oi. a batteryr268, throughza fixed resistorZl-ILthrough two sections of a resistor2'I2 in parallel and movable contact-arm 2-1-4- to the armature i'I-d oirelay .I-I2, front contact I7 8, the winding of -.the,.pen lT-lOtOltOthG other terminalwo'f batteryZB-B, indi- .cated asaground. Armi'M-iscontinuously rotated by motor I during intervals-of deenergi- -zation of relay I'I-2 motor- I90" beingenergized as illFlgS. ie-and 5 'overback'contact Hi8 :ofrelay I12. -Thus,-\,vith relay I12energized-at random-intervals and for periods (of random duration, -pen motor 26iiwill .be energized concurrently-with the relay, but the magniture of the energizingcurrent during any. period of -.energization1 will depend upon the angular :position of --arm 214 I at -the moment of energizationof. relay I12. Thepen direction of the arrow by rotation of a drum 218 upon which the paper is wound. Drum 218 is driven at a constant rate by any suitable means, indicated in the drawing as a motor 280. The track of the pen 266 is indicated at A.

In order to test the quickness of response of an individual a second pen motor 282 is provided and positioned with its pen 282 over the sheet 216. The circuit of motor 282 is similar to that of motor 266 but is controlled manually, rather than automatically. As shown, the circuit includes a resistor 284, two variable portions of a resistor 286 in parallel, manually adjustable contact arm 288 and push button switch 290 all connected in series between the battery 268 and the winding of the pen motor. Thus anoperator can press the key 299 when he sees the pen 286 start to swing and adjust the arm 288as by a knob 292, to increase or decrease the swing of pen 282' in accordance with the deflection of pen 286' and thus attempt to cause the pen 282to duplicate the track A. The track B, made by pen 282', can be compared with the track A to determine from a suitable longitudinal scale (not shown) along the sheet 216, the time of response of the individual, both at the beginning and end of a control signal and also to determine from the magnitudes of corresponding deflections, the coordination or accuracy of perception of the individual. Various other arrangements for utilizing the control signals produced in accordance with the invention for test purposes will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

The invention has now been described with reference to various embodiments thereof and has been illustrated as applied to injection of slubs into yarn, to control of targets in a shooting gallery and to testing of individuals. Various other fields of use for the novel control system of the invention will occur to those killed in the art. In each embodiment of the invention control pulses of random occurrence are converted into control signals of random occurrence and of random duration either through the intermediary of a cyclically varying element as in Figs. 1 and 2 or by selection of random pulses, as in Fig. 3.

In the embodiments of the invention illustrated in Figs. 4, and 6. means, including an element cyclically varying during intervals between control signals, are provided for converting the control signals produced in accordance with the system of Figs. 1. 2 or 3, into signals suitable for controlling, in addition to occurrence, and duration, a third characteristic of an element. In Fig. 4 such third characteristic is the diameter of the injected slubs; in Fig. 5 the third characteristic is the rate of travel of the target and in Fig. 6 the third characteristic is the magnitude of the current to a pen motor.

In each embodiment of the invention the initial source of random pulses has been indicated as one, or a plurality, of counter tubes actuated by cosmic radiation. Any source of inherently random phenomena that can be converted into pulses occurring at random intervals could be employed in the control system of the present invention. The invention, broadly speaking, is concerned with the conversion of random pulses emanating from any source into signals of random occurrence and duration, such signals being suitable for control of at least two independently variable characteristics. It is preferred that this source of pulses be one actuated by random reception of radiation,

and the preferred control signals into which the pulses are converted are signals suitable for use in the control of slub-inserting mechanisms. Obviously, various changes could be made in the particular circuits shown in the drawings and in the elements controlled thereby without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In Figs. 1, 2 and 4 the control system has been indicated as controlling the injection of slubs into yarn by increase of the rate of rotation of the feed rolls of a yarn spinning and drafting mechanism to reduce the draft thereof. It will be understood that the draft could be reduced without increase of rate of feed roll rotation, for example by change in ratch length, or by decrease in rate of rotation of the draft rolls or by change of location of feed of the roving into the ratch in the case of conical feed rolls and that slubs could be injected into yarn without change of draft, for example by the addition of loose fibers to the roving. Also slubs could be injected into continuous filament yarn during extrusion or spinning thereof or during stretch breaking'and drafting thereof. Accordingly, so far as slub injection is concerned, the invention provides a method and means for so controlling an element afiecting the diameter of yarn during the production thereof that the resultant yarn will have slubs of random length therein at random intervals and with, if desired random diameter. Although the system of Fig. 3, has not been illustrated as used for control-of any specific mechanism and those of Figs. 5 and 6 have been illustrated as applied to the control of specifically different mechanisms, obviously elements of' slub injecting mechanisms could be controlled by the systems disclosed in these figures. In Fig. 3, the circuit controlled by relay [62 could be that of the magnetic clutch of the slub injecting mechanism of Fig. 1, or that of the solenoid I80 of the slub injecting mechanism of Fig. 4 or that of any solenoid, adapted when energized to control in- I jection of a slub. In Fig. 5 the solenoid I80 could control the magnetic clutch of Fig. land motor 240 could drive the shaft 69 of Fig. 1. In Fig. 6 the pen motor 266 could be replaced by a solenoid controlling the location axial y along conical feed rolls of a trumpet through which roving is fed to the feed rolls of a drafting mechanism. Other specific applications of the control systems of Figs; 1 to 6, with respect to slub injection and with reference to other fields of use will occur to those skilled in the art.

The following is claimed:

1. The method of producing control signals which comprises utilizing a source of inherently random phenomena to create randomly occurring pulses, controlling the initiation of a series of control signals by said pulses, separately creating a second series of control pulses and terminating said control signals in response to said second series of pulses to create control signals of random duration and of rahdomoccurrence. I I

2. The method according to claim 1 which in- I cludes' varying an element affecting the magnitude of the control signals during intervals between signals whereby the randomly occurring control signals of random duration have a random magnitude. I I

3. The method according to claim Zincluding holding the element constant during controlsignals whereby the magnitude of .a control signal amma-24s 13 r stsuiistantialhrconstant for.;the:dmfatiorr:of:.that ai'signal.

4. The method accorldingcto claim: 1: including mpreventing tinitiation of. acontrolsignal for a :cpred'etermined' period: following termination of 2 awcontrol: signal,.stoiinsurez aminimum .interval :zbetween control signals.

5.. The :method of producing r control signals which comprises utilizing: asourceaof inherently :Lrandomuphenomenato' create :random'ly occur-J randomly occurring pulsesycontrolling the' initiation' of control signals" byJ'oneof: the series; of

pulses 1 and controlling thetermination of 1 the 1 control sign'als" by"! the other -series of pulses' to "produce controlsign'als of randomlduration and of random occurrence.

7;l'hezmethod' of controlling--energization of a circuit' controlling device havinga holding cir- -'-*cuit which comprises utilizing inherently ran- "-'-dom'-'ph'enomena tocreate -a series'ofpulses, "initiating energization" of the device in response "to the pulses-by closure 'of--'an energizing circuit of the-device; and breaking the holding circuit of the device at another point at intervals independent" of the "time 'initiation -of "energization of the device whereby said device --is energized at" random intervals for periods 'ofraridom dura- "tion.

'8. 'The'" method according to claim" 7' in which breaking of the holding circuit -is done at'regul'ar intervals.

Themethod according'to claim'r'which includes utilizingwan'dom'phenomena to create a second series of pulses of random-occurrence and wherein the breaking ofthe 'hOIdll'lg' circuit is done in response" to saidsecon'd' series of pulses.

. 10;. The: method of controlling circuits which comprises creating aseries' of pulses in'response :to reception of c'osmic rays," closing. the pick-up "circuit of a circuit controlling devicel'iniresponse to the created pu1ses,'"'creating a second'series of pulses andbreaking ash'olding circuit of the device in response to said second series of pulses whereby circuits will becontrolledby said device at .random intervals and for periodsor random duration.

11. Themethodaccording tolclaim. 10 including continuously varying an element'in a circuit controlled by the device-during periods-ordeener'giza'tionof the device wher'eby thecondition ofthe circuit controlled by thedevice will depend, at'the moment of energization of the'device,

upon the condition of the *element -at that moment.

12. The method according .to claim 10 inwhich .the 'se'cond. series ofv pulses occur at regulanin :tervals.

"13IThe method according to claim 10 wherein said second series of pulses are created in response to reception of cosmic rays.

14. The method of producing a novelty yarn which comprises utilizing inherently random phenomena to create a series of pulses, separated by intervals of random duration, initiating control signals in response to the created pulses, creating a second series of pulses, terminating 1?:14 -rsaid controltsignaiszpinz respons i-torasaim-second aseriesrof pulses. and-finally;controliing anzelement affecting. the diameter of yarn during production 1 :in'response to.the*control:signa1s. 15. The method according:ltoziclaimi'il ir which 2 includes; reventing: saide1ementfrom affecting the diameter of yarn during intervals between control signals and "continuously 1 varyingedid elementduring =such intervals whereby-the magnitude of change in the- 'di'ameter of the -yarn effectible'by the elementdui'ingany contfol 'signal-depends upon the condition of saideleme'nt at the moment of initiation of that signal.

16; The-method of-producing 'yarrrhavingsiubs M random length at random intervals therein which comprises 'utilizing inherently "random phenomena to create aser-ies' of pulses separated by intervals'ofrandom duration, initiating-controlsignals in response to the created? p l e 2o "creating a second-series of pulsed terminating the --"control"-signa'ls" in response to said'second series ---of pulses, andactuatingslubinjecting me'cha "nism' during'eachcontrol signal. 17 L The method according to-c1ahn16-including continuously varying an element of thesiiibin- 'jecting-me'chanism affecting-the diam'etenofthe injected-slubs duringperiodsibetween controlsignals whereby the diameters as well as'th lengths of the randomly'inj'ected"slubs will'vary randomly. '18. The "'"method of f producing noveltyiiiyarn which comprises: creating a'seriesoi pulsesin response to reception of. cosmic 'rays, initiating control signais'iin' responseto" theicreated pulses, creating a second series. of pulses; terminating saidrsignals in response to said second series ;of pulses and finally controlling anelement' afiecting the diameter of: yarn; during, production" in" response to thecontrol'signals. i

40 'tionladevice actuated in response to inherently random phenomena, means responsive to actua- ..tion of said device "for creatingeaseries ofranidomly. occurring pulses, means responsive tovrsaid ,pulses .for initiating a. series of. control signals, means'for creating a second series.of.pulses.and .means for terminating said signalsin response. to .:saidsecond series of pulses. whereby-thecontrol signals will be of random occurrence and.of:ran-

dom duration.

20.- A control system ecomprisingwin combinatiomadevice actuated. in response to inherently random,phenomena -means :responsive tdactua- .tion .of said device forcreatinga seriesof :elec- ::.trical pulses; a relayzhaving. atpick-upcircuitiand a holding circuitgtzthe latter; being adapted toxrbe .\closedlupon-energization Oftherelay, means: coni: trolled by said pulses for closing the'pick' up cirecuitof said relay, and' means independent of s'aid at intervalswhereby said relay is energized at random intervals for periods of random duration.

*21."The control" system according-to claim-20 "including means for preventing closure of the ing 'openingiof thehol'ding circuit.

"'22. The control'system accor'dingfto"claimi 20 wherein the last mentioned means of said claim 19. A control system comprisingincorhbiha pulses for opening the holdingcircuitof the relay "pick-up circuit for a" predetermined time 'follow energized, whereby closure of the other of said circuits by said relay may be used to initiate an event at random intervals and to maintain the event for periods of random durationand the condition of said element may be used to give the event a random characteristic.

25. A control system comprising in combination a plurality of counter tubes adapted to be discharged by reception of cosmic rays, a coincident 1 circuit connected to said tubes to transmit pulses only when tubes of a certain combination of said tubes are coincidently discharged, means for initiating control signals upon transmission of pulses by said circuit, a second coincident circuit connected to said tubes to transmit pulses only when tubes of a certain other combination of said tubes are coincidently discharged and means responsive to pulses transmitted by said second coincident circuit for terminating control signals initiated by said first mentioned pulses whereby control signals of random occurrence and of random duration are obtained.

26. A control system for injecting slubs into yarn comprising a source of inherently random phenomena, means for converting phenomena from said source into a series of randomly occurring pulses, means responsive to said pulses for initiating a series ofcontrol signals, means for creating a second series of pulses means for terminating said signals in response to said second series of pulses and means controlled by the controlsignals for injecting slubs into yarn.

27. A control system for injecting slubs into yarn comprising means responsive to the reception of cosmic rays for creating a series of pulses,

means for initiating control signals in response to the created pulses, means independent of the last mentioned means for terminating said signals and means controlled by the control signals for injecting slubs into yarn.

28. The control system according to claim 27 including a relay having pick-up and holding circuits, said pulses controlling said pick-up circuit and said terminating means controlling said holding circuit, and said relay when energized effecting the injection of slubs.

29. The control systemaccording to claim 28 wherein said terminating means comprises a switch in said holding circuit and a rotating cam adapted to open said circuit at intervals.

30. The control system according to claim 27 I wherein said last mentioned means includes a rotating shaft and a shaft adapted to be coupled thereto, said shafts, when coupled, operating to insert into yarn a slub of a diameter dependent upon the rate of rotation of said rotating shaft and a magnetic clutch for coupling said shafts together, said control signals 16 causing energization of said clutch and thereby operating to inject slubs of random length into yarn. at random intervals.

31. The control system according to claim 27 including means responsive to the termination of a control signal for preventing initiation of a succeeding control signal for a predetermined interval whereby there will be a'predetermined minimum length of yarn between slubs.

32. Apparatus for producing yarn having slubs of random length at random intervals therein comprising in combination, a source of inherently random phenomena, means for converting phenomena from said source into a series ofrandomly occurring pulses, a normally deenergized electronic tube connected for energization during occurrence of a pulse, a relay and an energizing circuit therefor, a switch in said circuit adapted to be closed only during em'egization of said tube, a holding circuit for said relay, means for opening said holding circuit at intervals, a yarn spinning mechanism and means associated therewith and responsive to energization of said relay for injecting slubs into yarn spun by said mechanism.

33. The combination according to claim 32 wherein said yarn spinning mechanism includes a drafting unit having a pair of feed rolls and means for driving said rolls at a constant peripheral speed and wherein the last mentioned means of said claim include auxiliary drive means adapted when actuated to increase the peripheral speed of said rolls, and an electro magnetic device controlled by said relay for actuating said auxiliary means.

34. The combination according to claim 33 wherein said auxiliary drive means includes an hydraulic motor and a source of fluid under pressure for driving said motor, valve means between said source and said motor, said electro magnetic device opening said valve in response to energization of said relay, said combination including a modulating valve between said source of fluid and said motor for controlling the rate of rotation of said motor when actuated by the opening of said first mentioned valve, and means controlled over a back contact of said relay for continuously varying the throttling effect of said modulating means whereby the injected slubs will be of random diameter.

FRED P. STROIHER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,144,051 Okamoto June 22, 1915 2,237,122 Swan et a1 Apr. 1, 1941 2,339,750 Bartholy Jan. 25, 1944 2,434,948 Miller Jan. 27, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 493,632 Great Britain Oct. 12, 1938 493,974 Great Britain Oct. 18, 1938 

